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Pam and I recently received this drawing from Lilah, our six-year-old granddaughter. I found it to be quite inspiring! In case you’re having difficulty with her grammar it says, “if you believe in yourself you can be anything you want to be.” This is the same child who dressed as a lion for Halloween complete with a red cape which she chose because “champions wear red.” I was astonished she made this realization so young. I didn’t realize this great truth for decades.

In my study of success literature, I have learned so much of what we are capable of accomplishing in our life begins with a belief, not only in our self, but in the reality of the vision of whatever it is we seek to accomplish. Without that belief our dreams will go nowhere. I have seen it expressed “we don’t have a choice of whether we will build a life - we have a choice what life it will be.”

The next part of the puzzle for Lilah and for each of us is our belief must be followed by action. When we have a vision of something we want to be or to accomplish we own that vision spiritually or intellectually. It is by taking consistent action on a daily basis that we begin to move our vision into the physical reality of our lives. In other words, nothing happens until something moves. The Quakers have an apt expression along the lines of “pray and move your feet.”

This just means we must be committed to accomplishing the reality of our vision in our life. Yes Lilah, if you believe in yourself and take action you can become anything you want to be. You simply must be committed to accomplishing your goal. Our commitment is the price we pay until the result is achieved. Go girl!!

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/wise-words-from-a-five-year-old.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172557Tue, 26 Sep 2017 08:00:00 ESTI have never felt it was a great idea to attach a camera to a bicycle helmet. I have had concerns something that large on your helmet would alter the effectiveness the helmet was designed to provide. The camera and mounting bracket could deflect the movement of the helmet upon impact or weaken its crash protection properties. I'm not aware of any manufacturer testing to prove the point.

However, Howie Johnson of the Sumpter Landing Bicycle Club wrote an article on this topic in a recent edition of their newsletter. He described the 2013 incident involving Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who suffered a serious brain injury in a skiing crash while wearing a camera affixed to his helmet. Testing was performed after the crash by ENSA (world-renowned ski and climbing academy in France) to look at the effect of a solid object between the helmet colliding with a rock. The results were the helmet was destroyed even when the camera was undamaged. Not a good omen.

Without any other serious data to rely on I would always lean to the side of caution and not attach one. The risk seems way out of proportion to the reward of the images you want. There are other ways to get most of the same images. There is a reason some manufacturers design helmets to prevent attachments.

You may consider this option which Kati located from Giro:Montaro MIPS helmet by Giro ($150) which includes built-in camera mount with breakaway interface; Universal helmet mount for all other Giro helmets (Accessory Mount Camera and Lights).

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/take-the-camera-off-your-helmet.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-175668Wed, 20 Sep 2017 08:00:00 ESTThey say the measure of someone is how they deal with adversity. Consider 22 year old Taylor Phinney. He is one of America’s most promising young cyclists. He was competing in the 209 mile Italian Tirreno-Adiatico stage race. But nothing was going right. The weather was dreadful, windy and cold. The race organizers had charted a course up a mountain stage with a climb so steep even world class athletes were forced to get off and push their bikes up the mountain. Then his chain broke. He had to stop for a replacement. He found himself at the rear in a group of 30 cyclists. The group convinced themselves they should just quit, and they did. They dropped out. But not Taylor. He was determined to finish this stage within a set time limit in order to compete in the time trial stage the next day. He forged on alone in the wind and cold. It was “probably the most trying day I’ve had on a bike,” he would later say.

Taylor finished the race… in last place. The race had been pure agony. He was 15 minutes behind the next to the last racer and 37 minutes behind the leaders, an eternity in cycling. Worst of all, he failed to finish in time to compete in the trials the next day. He was exhausted, emotionally spent and he was out of the race. He was so zonked he cried through his post-race massage.

So why didn’t he just quit when things were bleak and the rest of the trailing group he was with decided to throw in the towel that day? What made him suffer through the remaining miles alone? Was it his highly refined competitive drive or desire to support his team?

It was more personal. For more than half of Taylor’s life his father has suffered with Parkinson’s disease. A former Olympian and Tour de France stage winner, everything his dad now does is difficult. Taylor knew that if it was possible his dad would have willingly changed places with his son that day. Taylor could not get his father off his mind. Motivated by his father’s struggles, Taylor fought on when others simply gave up.

His father later emailed his son:“You make me so happy and beyond proud -and that is better than any medicine and can defeat any disease.”

You won’t find Taylor’s name listed as a winner on the race results that day. Neither will you find anyone more deserving of our admiration.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/what-would-you-have-done-.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172504Tue, 19 Sep 2017 08:00:00 ESTDaniel Ford was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and returned to its 2015 commencement address. He was curious how the crowd would react to the speech of 29-year-old Ryan Pitts. In 2008, then Army Sgt. Pitts was deployed in Afghanistan. In his editorial in the Wall Street Journal on May 21, 2015, Ford described how Pitts and his fellow troops were on an observation post on a hill in the Hindu Kush Mountains when they were attacked by a large force. Although being wounded in the forehead, one arm and both legs, Sgt. Pitts continued to defend their post, at times tossing hand grenades at the opposing forces within 10 feet of his location.

He fought on because he knew his brothers in arms were counting on him. Two attempts were made by reinforcements to come to their aid, but all were killed or wounded. In the end, he was the sole survivor. In July 2014, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

He returned to the University of New Hampshire and graduated two years ago with highest honors. In delivering the commencement address he had the following observations about courage:

“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to move forward in the face of it. There is beauty in this definition, because courage can exist in the decisions we make every day. Courage exists in the individual who accepts who they are and openly lives the life they want in the face of rejection. Courage exists in those who challenge their own perceptions in the face of accepting they are not infallible. Be courageous and appreciate courage in others who take action in the face of fear… Never forget those who helped you reach where you are.”

He received three standing ovations.

Each of us faces perplexing, daunting or seemingly insurmountable issues in our lives that often gives birth to fear. While fear has its place in alerting us to the issues we face, we must courageously move forward in the face of it. Otherwise we will never earn the rewards.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/what-do-you-fear-.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172502Tue, 12 Sep 2017 08:00:00 ESTOur culture seems to be changing at lightning speed. Timeless values can be seen as outdated. I held onto an article I read some time ago because the words were so inspiring. “Letters from Dad” was published in Good Living Magazine, summer 2013 edition. Pam Settle, the editor of the magazine and a friend of our firm, included excerpts written by a father to his son. I thought you might enjoy reading samples of what Dr. William Rice, senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, had to say to direct his son on the occasion of his high school graduation into young adulthood and beyond.

Character

Over the long haul, your character is who you really are… character is telling the truth even when it is easier to tell a lie. Character is treating other people with respect and compassion. Character means standing up for what is right. Character cannot be bought or sold. It comes from within and it comes from above. Anyone can do the right thing once in a while, but character does the right thing, especially when it is the hard thing. That is what separates people with character from those who lack it.

Work

God has something for you to do. You were made to work. Work is a wonderful thing. It brings fulfillment, meaning and the enjoyment of accomplishment… never live as if someone owes you anything… life will not be brought to you on some silver platter. You had better get up, go find a job, and do something for somebody. That is how the world works… work is hard. That's why they call it work. But there is honor and fulfillment in the job well done… go the second mile. The road is never crowded on the second mile.

Communication

Encourage someone and watch their world change. Criticize someone and their entire day can be shattered. Words matter, more than you can imagine. You can build up or tear down, and that power lies in the words that are spoken, texted, emailed, or facebooked. Words create worlds. Words are powerful – so use them wisely. Your words can open more doors than any key. Your words can create more havoc than any explosive… beware of words spoken in anger… you have the right to remain silent, I recommend you use that right often.

Note: The actual letters, written by Dr. Wm. E. Rice, are part of a DVD series called “Letters from a Father” available through Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/timeless-advice-from-a-father.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172500Tue, 05 Sep 2017 08:00:00 ESTOne of the most important traits we can develop in ourselves or encourage in our children or grandchildren is that of Persistence. I would wager if you probe the life of anyone you believe has accomplished something extraordinary in their life, whether in sports, the arts or business you will find a person who is persistent.

You might recall Napoleon Hill. He was challenged by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900’s to study 500 of the most successful people in America. After over two decades of persistent effort, Hill wrote Think and Grow Rich, arguably the most influential personal development book in history. He had met and became personally familiar with an amazing list of high achievers. He later made a fascinating observation that the one thing which separated Henry Ford and Thomas Edison from the rest of us was their incredible persistence. They had a vision of what they wanted to achieve. Against the conventional wisdom, criticism, and countless disappointments they refused to give up. The rest, as they say, is history.

It is persistence which allows each of us to accomplish greatness in our own lives. It begins with our having a vision and desire to have or do something that ignites our imagination. It can be anything of value to us. We then create a plan for its execution with a determination to refuse to allow negative or discouraging influences to deter us. Having at least one person who will encourage us to follow through is an invaluable help (each of us can be that person to encourage someone else).

There are many inspiring stories of those who overcame difficulty and failure by the strength of their persistent effort. Finding them and sharing them with our kids would be a terrific gift.

When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven't.-Thomas Edison

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/thoughts-on-the-trait-of-persistence.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172359Tue, 29 Aug 2017 08:00:00 ESTI love to challenge convention about what we should expect from our lives. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to "never act your age" by a dear friend who was 92 at the time and was still working out and playing golf several times a week. When I heard of the story of Gertrude Mokotoff and Alvin Mann I knew I needed to pass it along. This amazing couple were recently married after meeting at the gym several years before. Nothing unusual you may be thinking, especially if they were in their 30's or 40's. What I found amazing and inspiring was the bride was 98 and Alvin was 94 when they married. But, this only scratches the surface of their amazing lives.

Both Gertrude and Alvin had lived what we would consider fulfilled lives. Both lost their spouses in 2002 and 2007. Gertrude lived in Middletown, N.Y. outside of Manhattan and Alvin lived in the woods in quiet nearby Cuddebackville. She had been a college professor of biology and medical technology in Middletown before she 'retired' and became a fixture in Middletown politics, serving two terms as mayor. Alvin, a retired business man, had gone back to college after his wife's death and for two and a half years commuted 80 miles each way, twice a week, to Mount St. Mary's College in Newtown, N.Y. He became their oldest graduate at age 93.

Alvin was quoted as saying "age doesn't mean a damn thing to me or Gert. We don't see it as a barrier. We still do what we want to in life." And do they! During their years of courtship they drove into Manhattan regularly to attend the opera at the Met. Alvin still fells trees, cuts wood and does his own chores around their home. Neighbors are also amazed to see Alvin and Gert acting like high school sweethearts, holding hands and kissing.

They still have plans and dreams of what they intend to accomplish in life. This was some- thing that attracted them to one another. They also remain positive and live worry free lives. They do not let things over which they have no control bother them. Alvin observed there is a difference between being old and feeling old (or acting old, I would add.)

The full story may be found in an article in the August 11, 2017 edition of the New York Times by Vincent M. Mallozzi. I recommend you read it for more details about them both. A good friend of ours told Pam we needed to read this article and she was right! Her sister is married to Gertrude's son. Thank you Paulette!

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/never-act-your-age.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-174972Thu, 24 Aug 2017 16:36:00 ESTIf we want to literally change our lives, we need only become aware of the amazing power of gratitude. By that I mean taking time each day to think about and express to yourself (or in prayer) specific things for which you are grateful.

When this was first suggested to me, I was skeptical being grateful could have any serious effect on my life. Yet, the more I read and have begun to apply it in my life, I have learned the benefits can hardly be overstated. They are well-documented and have become an important part of modern psychology.

It has been shown by real experts that expressing sincere gratitude for things in our lives has an amazing positive effect on everything from our general sense of well-being to decreasing pain and depression. It reduces stress, increases our satisfaction with life, improves our sleep, increases our sense of connectedness to other people, prompts us to eat less of the wrong food, lowers our blood pressure, and makes us more inclined to exercise.

Beyond the dramatic effects on our bodies is the change gratitude creates in our emotions and how we view life. It makes us look for and pay attention to the things for which we should feel gratitude. We begin to become aware of the things others do for which we are truly grateful... think of your spouse, children, co-workers and others. Rather than focusing our attention on the negative, it causes us to focus on the positive. The difference may seem small, but it is incredible.

Try this daily: just take a minute or two to think about ten things for which you are sincerely grateful. They can be as simple as someone’s kindness to you, your health, work, faith, freedom and liberty, people in your life, your home, nature, what you are able to do or what you are looking forward to doing.

I guarantee once you begin you will not want to stop and your awareness of things for which you are truly grateful will continue to grow. The trick is to do it daily until it becomes a habit. Begin today.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/the-amazing-power-of-gratitude.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172358Tue, 22 Aug 2017 08:00:00 ESTEach of us is amazingly alike in many ways. However, the one thing that clearly distinguishes one from another is our attitude. That point is hugely important because it will determine the kind of life we live and the influence we have on others. Our attitude controls every aspect of our life.

Our attitude is the composite of our thoughts, which cause our feelings and, consequently, our actions. Bear in mind, our actions (what we do each day in every situation) will determine the results we achieve… in our work, relationships, finances and success in life.

Harvard University studied the influence of attitude when hiring someone for a job. Most of us would probably assume the top considerations are experience, training or education. Shockingly, the results of the study showed 85% of the reason someone was hired was due to their attitude and only 15% because of their skills.

Another study by two universities found people with a positive attitude showed less signs of aging, were less likely to become frail, and were stronger and healthier than those with a negative attitude. They also live longer, are optimistic, courageous and confident, attract success, inspire others, and live purposeful lives of meaning.

We recognize someone’s attitude at once. Think of the difference you feel when you are around someone with a positive attitude… or a negative one. The truth is, we have total control of our attitude by controlling how we think. Change our attitude and it will change our life. Think of it as a gift you give yourself.

Author James Allen observed, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitude.” James Allen was a great thinker.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/attitude-how-would-a-friend-describe-yours-.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172354Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:00:00 ESTI’ve been fascinated recently by stories of people living ordinary mundane lives who changed not only their life, but the lives of millions of others, by simply having the courage to take action on an idea. Virtually every major accomplishment starts with an idea. Let’s look at one which came to life right here in Clearwater. While you may have heard of Spanx, the women’s hosiery line, you may not remember how it all began.

Sara Blakely was born in Clearwater in 1971. Her father was a local trial lawyer and her mother was an artist. She attended Clearwater High School and went on to graduate from FSU with a communications degree. After two failed attempts at passing the law school admissions test, she ended up selling copiers. She went door-to-door for Danka and became a national sales trainer by age 25! Dressing professionally each day soon led to a frustration for Sara – the foot seam she had to deal with while wearing pantyhose with open toed shoes. At the same time, she liked the firmer look pantyhose gave her.

Space won’t allow the entire story. But, the point I’d like to make is she had the courage to move to Atlanta to seriously pursue developing her product idea. She spent two years and all the money she had set aside researching materials and writing her own patent application. Like many great product success stories, she was turned down by virtually every manufacturing mill she pitched, except the one who saw value in her idea.

After her company was launched, she experienced steady growth until she was named one of Oprah’s “favorite new things” and her sales exploded in 2000. It also helped that she successfully pitched Neiman Marcus, with other big retailers following, as well.

Sara is the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire. In 2012, she was named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. She’s been recognized worldwide for her entrepreneurial efforts and she has established a philanthropic fund to encourage other women entrepreneurs.

Sara had the courage to believe in her idea and was willing to take action to bring it to life. Millions of women are happy she did! Anyone with an idea should study Sara Blakely’s example.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/success-springs-from-taking-action.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172353Tue, 08 Aug 2017 08:00:00 ESTThe Pinellas Trail is one of the most recognized and popular multiuse trails in the country. It was extended an additional 5 miles last month with the opening of a new section between Keystone Road and the Pasco County line. From end to end it covers over 60 miles and is an integral part of the much anticipated Coast to Coast Connector between St. Petersburg and Titusville on the east coast. Monitoring the trail and the numerous other parks within Pinellas County requires a coordinated effort beyond the use of paid park rangers.

Jim Wedlake is an ambassador for the Pinellas County Auxiliary Rangers. I had the pleasure of having lunch with Jim and his friend Mike Siebel last fall when they introduced me to the valuable service performed by the Auxiliary Ranger program. This is a group of dedicated volunteers who are committed to provide 100 hours of service each year to ride and monitor the trail. They help alert park rangers to maintenance and repair issues, security and other safety concerns. Their input is valuable to the quarterly meetings of the Pinellas Trail Safety Task Force.

As a cyclist, if you're looking for a meaningful place to volunteer your time while enjoying the beautiful Pinellas Trail, the Auxiliary Ranger program may be a perfect fit. Get more information on the Pinellas County website or call (727)549-6136 or 6137.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/volunteer-riders-needed-on-the-pinellas-trail.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-174363Fri, 04 Aug 2017 08:00:00 ESTOne of the most fascinating things I have learned recently is that each of us fall into one of two general categories according to our beliefs about our abilities, talents, personalities and intellect. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset, The New Psychology of Success, writes people with a fixed mindset believe these qualities are fixed at birth and are not likely to change over time. Those with this belief need to prove to themselves and to others they possess these qualities in abundant measure. They don’t want to do anything that makes them appear to be lacking. On the other hand, people with a growth mindset, believe everyone can change and grow with effort and experience. It’s their view we don’t know how far we can progress with passion and training.

This may seem insignificant until we understand each of us forms the belief about ourselves and which mindset we possess at a very early age. While we don’t even realize we have these beliefs, how we see ourselves affects virtually everything we do in life. When you view life from the fixed mindset, each situation faced is a confirmation of one’s intelligence, personality or character. People with a fixed mindset ask themselves: will I succeed or fail? Will I look dumb or smart? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I win or will I lose? Further, they will be very reluctant, if not refuse, to tackle tasks which would confirm they don’t measure up.

On the other hand, those with a growth mindset do not label themselves or give up when things get tough. These are the people who look for a challenge and keep working when things look bleak. They want the harder puzzle or most difficult problem to try and figure out. Not mastering it does not mean failure to them; just more time and effort are needed. They don’t feel badly about themselves or feel discouraged.

I know which mindset I have! It’s fascinating to look at ourselves, our kids and even our grandchildren and see which mindset we each have and then consider how our mindset is affecting our lives. Pam and I can already clearly see mindset beliefs in our young grandchildren. It’s both eye opening and helpful to understand ourselves and others and to know we can change a mindset that’s not serving us well. Which mindset are you?

Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end up really becoming incapable of doing it. If on the contrary I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning.- Mahatma Gandhi

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/is-your-mindset-limiting-your-life-.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172352Tue, 01 Aug 2017 08:00:00 ESTLeo lost his left leg at the hip in a motorcycle collision in 2007. That devastating injury not only changed his life but his life purpose. When Leo was introduced to the possibility of riding a bicycle he made the transition. He also went from working as a motorcycle mechanic to working on bicycles. But more than that, Leo is an inspiring ambassador of hope and determination.

I heard Leo speak recently. He is a humble man who seeks no recognition. He declares his bicycle has become his gymnasium, therapist, physician, transportation and recreation. Leo owns numerous bicycles and cycles to work each day over 11 miles. He doesn't own a car. His athletic ability is quite amazing. If you can imagine dealing with having only one leg and no prosthesis.

Simply standing requires the use of a crutch or balancing aid. Leo does a lot of hopping on his one leg when not using his crutches throughout the day.

He's also became a paralympic athlete competing against amputees and other disabled people in a category for riders who can use a standard bicycle. He is able to average 20 mph on a flat surface using a fixed gear bicycle. Stop and think how difficult it is for many riders who have no limitations to maintain a 20 mile-per-hour average.

Leo is training for the 2020 Paralympics in Japan. He realized he was overdoing the mileage when he was riding 200miles a week. Consequently, he modified his training regimen by reducing his overall mileage to about 100 and week mixing in short endurance intervals along with weightlifting.

Rodgers hopes to become a motivational speaker. Believe me, he is well on the way.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/meet-leo-rodgers-inspiring-amputee-cyclist.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-174362Mon, 31 Jul 2017 08:47:00 ESTFlorida is developing a world class multi-use trail system which is envisioned to include over 2000 miles of trails when completed. One of the earliest and most recognized is the Pinellas Trail which, until recently, extended from St. Petersburg to East Lake Road just east of Tarpon Springs. In July, Pinellas County had the grand opening of the new section of the Pinellas Trail from East Lake Road to Wall Springs. This new section is just over five miles long and extends the Pinellas Trail to the Pasco County line.

The Pinellas Trail is one of the first sections of the Coast-to-Coast Connector partially funded through the twenty five million dollars of recurring funding by the legislature to the FDOT for multi-use trail construction. The construction of the next section, beginning in Pasco county, is underway and will provide the link to the Sun Coast Trail which follows the Veterans Expressway all the way to Brooksville. It is scheduled to be completed in 2019.

The extension received rave reviews by early users. Anxious to see for ourselves, my wife and I checked it out on a Friday morning ride the first week of August. Beginning at East Lake Road, the extension follows Keystone Road east along its south side about three miles before crossing to the north. A short distance later the trail makes a sharp left turn. You quickly leave the traffic corridor behind you and enter a world of pastures and woodlands for the next two miles. It is tranquil and beautiful and is a delightful taste of what we can expect to experience when the next much longer section opens. The scenery reminded me of the Florida I fondly remember as boy growing up in Sanford. We enjoyed the last two miles so much we rode it several times to extend our experience.

There are several parking options if you want to begin close to the new section. You may consider parking in Brooker Creek Preserve, located just off Keystone Road about two miles from East Lake Road. The parking area in the preserve is about a mile from its entrance along a little used access road. Brooker Creek is beautiful and offers plenty of parking as well as water and clean rest rooms.

Other parking options which would extend your ride include various business plazas along Keystone west of East Lake. These afford access to the existing Pinellas Trail which loops south to Keystone about a half mile west of East Lake Road. Of course, you can extend your ride by simply following the Pinellas Trail through Tarpons Springs to meet the new extension. The ride through Tarpon Springs is unique and worth experiencing. A great place to stop for breakfast or lunch is The Trailside Cafe. It is Trip Advisor rated and situated on the trail just south of Tarpon Avenue in Tarpon Springs. We have tried it twice recently and have enjoyed both meals. It's a great place to refuel after your ride.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/pinellas-trail-is-linked-to-the-coast-to-coast-connector.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-174148Thu, 27 Jul 2017 08:00:00 ESTNot getting around to things we must do until the last minute can become a life time pattern if we don’t realize it and change our habit. I don’t know the statistics, but I would guess most people struggle with this issue.

Never put off until tomorrow what you can put off until the day after tomorrow.- Mark Twain

I’ll think about it tomorrow.- Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind

According to Success magazine, there are some myths about procrastinators. First myth, they are lazy. Not necessarily so, says the research. Some are and some aren’t. Many procrastinators get a lot done, just not what they should be doing. The second is that they work better under pressure, how many times have you heard this? It turns out most procrastinators feel they work best that way because that’s the only way they ever work! Actually procrastinators are not as productive as those who don’t work that way.

Now, we have identified the problem!

Is There Anything You Can Do to Stop Procrastinating?

Just get started. Devote 10 minutes to starting the project and then you’ll be into it.

Minimize distractions. You know what they are. Don’t allow them in your work space.

Restrict your time. Don’t set aside all day. Create more urgency by seeing how much you can do in an hour, for instance.

Do the hard part when you’re most productive: Otherwise you’ll want to put it off as well.

Be accountable to someone: Alright, I know this is hard when you are the problem. If it is someone else, hold them to it.

When dealing with others (like your kids) let them feel the consequences. Let them fail. They need to see the cost of bad habits.

I have a big shout out here. My assistant, Judi, never procrastinates. She is the most efficient person I have ever met. She has simply developed the habit of always attacking what needs to be done first and completing the work early.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/ill-do-it-tomorrow-sound-familiar-.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172348Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:00:00 ESTRiding bicycles is a fantastic activity for the entire family. In Pinellas County and throughout Florida, we are blessed with a tremendous variety of paved bicycle paths which families can ride with minimal contact with vehicles. While virtually anyone can ride a bike, there are some things which must be kept in mind to make it as safe as possible. Here are some tips I've learned from years of riding with experienced cyclists and bicycle clubs.

1. Always wear a helmet.

They save lives and prevent concussions. No bicycle club or organized bicycle event will permit anyone to ride without a helmet. They understand the risk of riding without one. Yet, I see many adult casual riders, especially men, riding without them, even if they make their children wear them. Set the best example by always wearing a helmet.

2.You want to be seen by drivers.

Experienced road riders use a forward facing blinking white light even during daylight hours for a reason. They are proven to increase visibility. Always use a very bright blinking red taillight for the same purpose, even during the day. I also recommend wearing the brightest neon yellow or other eye-catching color shirt or top. It increases the odds of being seen by inattentive drivers. We have developed our own Jim Dodson Law cycling jersey which is a bright neon yellow.

3. Signal your intention to turn left or right and always stop for stop signs and red lights.

You always want to be predictable on a bicycle and avoid putting yourself in harm's way. Never assume a driver sees you or understands your intended travel path.

4. Callout before passing another bicyclist or pedestrian.

Experienced cyclists always announce themselves by calling out "on your left" as they overtake another bicyclist or pedestrian. Never assume that person is aware you're coming or that they will continue moving straight ahead. This is a tremendous safety issue on the road as well as on a multiuse trail, failing to do this results in many serious crashes.

5. You can ride two abreast on a trail or within a bike lane so long as you're not obstructing other traffic.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/safety-tips-for-the-casual-bicycle-rider-in-florida.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-174046Fri, 21 Jul 2017 08:00:00 ESTOne of my cycling magazines had an article by a guy who has ridden his bicycle across several continents. He lives a life many would envy even if they did a small fraction of what he has done. He acknowledges that while not everyone is free to live his life, many are free to do far more and be far more than they are at present. They just never start.

Whether it’s touring the country on your bike (or in your car) we all have dreams we would love to fulfill. But as this writer points out most of us never start because we convince ourselves that “I’m not ready.” Most dreams require doing something, probably something we have never done or doing it in such a bigger way we’re not sure we even know what steps to take to make it happen. Taking an exotic foreign trip may require assembling all the required gear, researching the route, getting a sense of the culture or language or how to handle the unexpected in an unfamiliar environment. It can be intimidating or seem overwhelming.

People who fail to act on their dreams never get past this stage of believing they must be fully prepared for every eventuality. As a result result they make no progress on following through on their dream. There is always something more that needs to be done. As a result they‘re never ready. But that thinking means they will never be ready and they will never start.

People of accomplishment get past this stage. They understand there will always be something they are not fully prepared to meet. We can’t possibly predict every turn of events. We must simply commit to begin. Nothing moves us like a deadline. By June 1st I will begin my adventure or start my new life journey.

Norman Cousin’s made a quote I love about unfulfilled lives when he said “the tragedy of life is the dreams that die within us while we live.”

People of great accomplishment were never fully ready either. They simply committed to act anyway. So can you and I.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/but-i-m-not-ready-to-.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172346Tue, 18 Jul 2017 08:00:00 ESTI was reading a news obituary about a guy who lived an extraordinary life involved in business, adventure travel, family and philanthropy. His wish was that his headstone be inscribed with “he fired all his bullets.” It was a successful epithet because it made me stop and think.

I was blessed to have had a wonderful friend and mentor for 25 years who passed away this year at age 92. He played professional baseball and golf before beginning his business career. He had retired from business before we met and was passionate about golf. He was always an amazing athlete who was constantly “working on his swing” and always wanted to show me what he had developed. He worked part time as a golf course starter where he was an ambassador of good will and encouragement to everyone he met. He was also a man of deep faith which he openly shared. He lived a rich and fulfilled life. The day before he died, he played 9 holes of golf. The next morning he went to church, stopped for breakfast and went home and died. He had enjoyed an amazing life and truly “fired all his bullets”.

I love that expression. It reminds me that every day is precious and when it’s done I can’t relive it. It challenges me to avoid missed opportunities and not to delay doing the things that bring meaning to me or to those I love. It makes me give myself permission to dream, to set goals and attack my mental bucket list while I’m able and not take things too seriously.

Will that expression fit my life? While it’s too early to tell, I’m committed to try and make it so! How about you?

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/he-fired-all-of-his-bullets.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172345Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:00:00 ESTJohn Goddard is known as the real Indiana Jones. He was determined to accomplish something with his life. Many people express that intention, few actually identify and write down exactly what they intend to do. What separated John from the others was his incredible list of life goals and how many he was able to accomplish.

When John was 15, he created a written list of 127 things he wanted to accomplish during his life. His was unlike any list most people could even imagine. It included exploring 8 major rivers around the world, studying 20 primitive cultures from the Congo to Alaska, climbing some 15 major mountains in the U.S. and abroad, visiting every country in the world, studying medicine, photographing every major waterfall, learning to fly an airplane, retracing the travels of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great, exploring the major coral reefs of the world, and another 50 as varied as running a 5 minute mile, weighing 175 pounds, reading all the great works of literature, becoming familiar with all the great musical compositions, learning to play 2 musical instruments, landing an airplane on an aircraft carrier, as well as marrying and having children.

Incredibly, he accomplished 120 of the goals on his list. He died in Los Angeles in May, at the age of 88.

John Goddard is hailed as the World’s Greatest Goal Achiever. He is cited by every success writer and motivational speaker on the power of written goals. While many of us have an idea of some goals, it’s the act of writing them down that begins the commitment to shoot a specific target. This is what the vast majority of us never do. It is the first step in radically changing our life.

Do you have a list of goals? Do your children? One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them the power of written goals. It will change their life and yours.

]]>https://www.jimdodsonlaw.com/blog/john-goodards-list-changed-his-life.cfmwww.jimdodsonlaw.com-172333Tue, 04 Jul 2017 08:00:00 ESTWhen was the last time you seriously thought about your life? Are you satisfied with things in it or are there areas you know you want to change but haven’t done anything about them? Think about your job or career, your relationships with those you love, your finances, your health or fitness, and travel or just having some fun?

Each of us makes choices every day that create our lives. The reality is we must be satisfied with our lives because we continue to choose the things that are in them. It’s that simple! On the other hand, if we don’t like what we are experiencing, we have the power to change. But, first we need to get to the place where we believe we need to make a change. Then, realize it is up to us to begin to believe we can change any part of our life. The changes become our goals.

The more I have read and pursued success thinking and success literature I’ve come to realize we can absolutely become the person we want to become. We simply must believe it is possible! Believing is the key ingredient. Once we believe anything is possible, even if others view it as impossible, we can go after those goals that will change our lives and even our world.

Have you ever thought about what separates those we view as successful from everyone else? Successful people are goal oriented people. The vast majority don’t just stumble into their success. Setting goals creates clarity. It speeds up achievement and creates persistence because we know exactly what we want to achieve.

The goals we set don’t have to be ones that will change the world, but they must be ones that will change our own world. Working towards our goals gives our lives direction. Each day that passes we are directing our lives, making choices that will determine what next week, next month, next year and the years that follow will hold for us. We must be purposeful in making those choices. Without goals and purpose we are like the vast majority who drift through life without direction or purpose.

Let’s set our goals, believe in their achievement, persist in making purposeful choices each day leading to their fulfillment, and see where it takes us.

You can have anything you want if you will give up the belief you can’t have it.- Anthony Robbins